Fear of globalization triggers Europe’s populist rise: study

Source:Reuters Published: 2016/11/30 23:18:40

Fear of globalization is the most important factor in pushing European citizens towards populist right-wing parties and those fears are most acute in Austria and France, a survey by Germany's Bertelsmann Foundation showed on Wednesday.

The study showed that 55 percent of Austrians and 54 percent of French view globalization as a threat, the only countries surveyed in which a majority of respondents voiced that opinion.

The results of the survey of 14,936 EU citizens could deepen concerns among mainstream parties in these countries ahead of a presidential run-off vote in Austria on Sunday and a French presidential election next year in which far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen is expected to do well.

By contrast, just 36 percent of British citizens said they feared globalization, the sometimes disruptive process by which people, companies and countries around the world have become more interconnected through trade, investment and advances in technology.

The 36 percent rate was the lowest among the nine major European countries polled. Despite Britain's vote in June to leave the European Union, the survey also showed that Britons were the least worried about their economic situation, with just 26 percent expressing such disquiet.

The survey, conducted in August, comes amid growing concerns among traditional parties about a surge in right-wing populism, fueled by the Brexit vote and the election of Donald Trump earlier this month as president of the United States.

On December 4, Austrian voters could make Freedom Party candidate Norbert Hofer the first far-right head of state in western Europe since World War II. On the same day, a referendum in Italy that could lead to the resignation of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and bolster the anti-euro 5-Star Movement.

In addition to France, the Netherlands and Germany will also hold elections next year.